Beyond our hopes and dreams
Sometimes we pray and wonder if our Father is listening. We may falter in our prayer and question God’s plan. But then, God grants us a miracle far beyond our hopes and dreams.
Better than a dream
They stood in my kitchen at Christmas, my first born son and his lovely wife of fifteen years. “We’re pregnant,” he announced.
My jaw dropped, “What? How?”
I shook my head. “I know how babies are made,” I blurted. “But…” I stopped as emotions threatened to overflow.
My son embraced his wife and she smiled. “They changed my medication and said we could try.”
“And we did!” Their laughter brought a glow of joy to an overcast winter day.
In Luke, we learn the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah’s inability to have a child.
But God had a plan.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:11-14)
According to scripture, Zechariah and Elizabeth were both “very old.” Zechariah experienced doubt of God’s plan and was unable to speak for the duration of Elizabeth’s pregnancy. But God honored the angel’s promise–the gift of a son, a miracle far beyond their hopes and dreams.
Our loving Father is the giver of miracles
My daughter-in-law’s pregnancy was considered high-risk. Several health scares occurred during the journey and plans were set to have the baby arrive early. More than one crisis developed during birth and we feared for the safety of mother and child.
But God…
Elizabeth recognized the miracle God had given her. When Mary, the mother-to-be of Jesus, visited her cousin, Elizabeth was overjoyed and exclaimed to Mary:
“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” (Luke 1:44-45)
God hears our prayers. He doesn’t always answer them according to our plan. But often His plan if far beyond anything we could imagine.
The grateful and happy Grandma with baby Charlotte–our beautiful miracle. Our Father’s gift of love.
Oh, Katherine, that is so precious! Thanks for sharing this wonderful news. What a great picture of you and the sweet baby.
Thank you, Barbara. It’s been an exciting time. I’m so blessed! Wishing you a joyful week.
Katherine! What a beautiful story of joy and God’s blessings. 🙂 I’m so thankful everyone is fine and know your sweet Charlotte will add so much to all your lives for many, many years. Congratulations!
Thank you for your good wishes, Leigh. We’ve had a sometimes scary, mostly joyful, always loving experience the past two weeks, assured of our Father’s great love for us. God is so good. May He bless you.
Thank you Katherine. This is so beautiful.
Thank you, Claire. We’ve been so blessed during this time. Our Father is loving and merciful–the giver of life and miracles.
You have no idea what joy this post brought to me as I read it again this morning. My mind has been lingering too long on the death of the best friend of my life. A turning point to remember the joy a much-wanted and prayed for birth brings!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Fern. I believe the depth of our grief when a loved one passes is in direct correlation to our great love for them. Thank you for your kind message. I’m praying for peace and comfort for you.
Precious. God is wonderful. Have a blessed week!
God is so good. We’ve been blessed beyond measure. Thank you for your good wishes, Melissa. Blessings!
What a blessing for your family Ms. Katherine. Am so happy for all y’all. I look forward to the day when Miss Charlotte begins school and she’s correcting the teacher’s grammar. “But memaw says we should only use semicolons when separating two independent clauses. You would be better served to make two sentences. And why are you using two spaces after a period. That isn’t a typewriter you know.” 🙂 Praying for both new parents and baby.
You are so funny, my friend. Thank you for sending laughter and good wishes. I’m so grateful for your prayers and sending prayers and good wishes to you and the Cross-Dubya family. I hope you’ve had some rain in the midst of the heat wave. May God bless you all.
What a great message in this joyous story. I love the rocking chair picture. Congratulations!
Thank you, Jimmie. God is so good–the giver of life, love, and miracles. Hope you’re having a great week.
This is precious! But God……. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, yes, but God . . . We’d be lost without Him. Thinking of you during this time of togetherness with your family. God is smiling on you, Lisa. Peace and blessings.
This is precious! But God……. Katherine, thanks for sharing this sweet miracle!
What a beautiful story of God’s work and in His timing. She is absolutely beautiful, fearfully and wonderfully made. Congratulations to everyone and I know you will thoroughly enjoy Grandma duty.
Being a grandparent is a wonderful gift of love by our Father. I’m always reminded of His infinite capacity to love when I’m with family, especially my precious grandchildren. I hope you’re having a great week, Laura. I’m enjoying your “Cup of Encouragement.”
Enjoy this precious gift, Katherine. Blessings on all the family.
Thank you, Diana. Yes, I’m enjoying the precious gifts my Father is showering on me. “Showers of Blessings” indeed.
What a beautiful story of God’s faithfulness and a beautiful picture of you and your new grand baby. I don’t believe there is anything more precious than a new baby. Babies really are God’s miracles and this one even more so! Congratulations!
I agree, Candyce. What a miracle life is–only the Master Designer could have created such a beautiful miracle as our babies. We are so blessed. Wishing you a week filled with joy and sunshine, my friend.
Congratulations! I am so happy for you and especially for your daughter-in-law. What a joyous time for your family to bring you all through such a difficult pregnancy to a healthy baby on the other side. God has a plan, even if His timing is much different than our plan. He is still good.
Thank you, Joanna. It’s been a miracle of creation and God’s infinite love. As you remind us–His plan is good. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Katherine, this is just a precious testimony of the faithfulness of God! May you and your family enjoy every moment! May the Lord keep His hand on Charlotte and draw her to Himself at a young age. Blessings!
Thank you for your good wishes and prayers, Joanna. Although I will admit to some worry along this journey, our Father’s gift of life and love has been a joyous miracle for my family. Peace and blessings!
Beautiful testimony and photo!
Thank you, Vera! I’m grateful for your good wishes. I hope your day is blessed.
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you and that the Father said “yes!” What a sweet gift!
Yes, Sylvia, we are so blessed. Our Father is so good. Sending prayers for good health and happiness your way.
I’m so happy for you and your family. God is so, so good. Congratulations, Katherine.
You are right, Terri. Our loving Father is so very good to us. Wishing you much joy and blessings.
Thrilling!
God bless you and your dear family.
We’ve been showered in blessings, Connie. God is so good. Wishing you peace and joy.
What a wonderful story of about this little miracle baby–straight from God’s arms to her parents’ and yours!!
She is a miracle and God has blessed us beyond measure. Wishing you a blessed week, Kathy, filled with joy and sunshine.
Congratulations my friend and what an amazing answer to prayer. We see how good God is when we look back over the hard journey. I wish I did that better in the moment of trials. Praying for everyone
Thank you for your prayers, Yvonne, and your message of joy and celebration. Praying God’s continued blessings on your ministry of service to Him.
She’s a beautiful bundle of joy and a true blessing, Ms. Katherine!! Congratulations to the family! I love the picture of you two enjoying the peace of each other’s company. 💞
Our sweet girl is a blessing filled with joy and love. Our loving Father has sent a gift beyond our expectations. He’s good at that, isn’t it? Thanks for your message and wishing you joy and blessings, Tammy.
What a beautiful testimony to give of God’s miraculous creation, and how much He loves us.
Our God is so good to us. This miracle has blessed us beyond measure. Thank you, Krystal.
What a beautiful post, and a beautiful picture of Grandma and precious granddaughter! Thank you for sharing your joy!
Thank you for your good wishes, Kim. I’m so blessed. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Congratulations, Katherine! The amazing grace of God leaves us breathless in wonder.
You are absolutely right Annie. His amazing grace continues to astonish me. We are blessed by His grace, mercy, and infinite love.
Oh Katherine, what a gift! So happy for you all.
Thank you, Debbie. We are so blessed by this miracle.
Such a blessing! She’s beautiful!
Thank you, LuAnn. We are so blessed. Wishing you joy and blessings.